Search for assistant director of student activities continues

By Scout on March 2, 2012

No time has been wasted searching for a candidate to fill the position of assistant director of student activities.

The national search for applicants was closed Thursday, receiving more than 75 applications just shy of three weeks since the former assistant director Dain Gotto began his new position at Northern Illinois University.

“There is a lot of interest,” Director of the Lewis J. Burger Center and chair of the search committee Katie McGinn said. “The timing is really good. There are a lot of candidates who are going to be graduating [with masters’ degrees] and are looking for jobs, and there are candidates already in student activities positions who are looking for a change . . . It’s very promising.”

The search committee chaired by McGinn consists of six other members – three Bradley professionals and three students. Together, they will spend the next week sorting through candidates and planning the next step in the process.

“There is quite a stack of applications,” said Crystal Rains, a student member of the committee. “I am looking forward to getting through them and bringing candidates to campus.”

Director of Student Activities Michelle Whited said they are looking for someone who has a background in advising students, event planning and budget management. The candidate should also be creative and be able to make a commitment to the students, the Student Activities Office and the university, she said.

“This position is very visible to students,” said McGinn. “People come and go all the time but very rarely do they have such an impact on the students.”

Following interviews and campus tours, McGinn said the starting date for the position is June 1.

“We are on track and would be able to complete that goal,” she said. “We’re still early in the process but it’s going to help us get someone in at that time so they can get their footing before the school year starts.”

Whited said without having the support of an assistant director of student activities, the Student Activities Office is still functioning well and working as a team.

“Losing a staff member is never easy,” she said. “However, we had time to prepare accordingly and are taking each day as it comes.”

The office of Student Affairs has received additional support from student organizations and staff members.

“The Student Activities Office staff has made a commitment to continue to provide the best service we can to the campus community,” Whited said.